Jaume Grau attended to MARCA by telephone from a hotel in Pamplona. The result of his PCR test is not definitive, but the protocols are clear and strict. He has to be isolated until he hears new news. And he takes it well. "This morning I had more tests and now I'm waiting for the results." And he didn't expect it himself. "This is completely unexpected. I am asymptomatic, I have not had any type of problem and I was fine. It is true that there have been other cases of colleagues who had tested positive and there was the possibility that it could be so." Despite this, you can see the optimism in his voice and the desire to be recovered and ready to rejoin the sports discipline. "It's a bit annoying because what I wanted most now was to train and share with my teammates" commented Jaume.

The arrival in Osasuna

And it is that before this setback that may have kept him away from the pitch for a few days, Grau has been very comfortable at the red club. Despite the fact that it is the third time that he has joined the club (he already did so in the 2019/2020 season when he left Real Madrid Castilla to later head to Lugo and in 2020/2021 when he left again on loan to Tondela of the Portuguese league), the Valencian player faces his first preseason with the First team. "I'm very comfortable. In these few days I've been received very well, you feel like one of the others. I'm very happy with the training sessions, with the day to day and very excited" Jaume pointed out during the interview.

The Portuguese league, the springboard to play in the First Division

Before landing in Osasuna, Jaume Grau grew progressively in different Second and Second B clubs. The permanence with Navalcarnero in the 2016/2017 season, the Play Off for promotion to Second with Real Madrid Castilla or salvation with Lugo in the 2019/2020 season there have been moments that have been forging the character of a player with an overflowing talent who returns to Pamplona. "The experience was very good on a sporting and personal level. It was very good for me. It helped me grow a lot".

His last stop was at CD Tondela, in the Portuguese First Division. With 32 games behind him in the 2020/2021 season, Grau achieved that stability that he needed to explode as a footballer and to continue growing. He also shares, along with other coaches and teammates who have also played in the Portuguese competition, an improvement and greater competitiveness. "The small teams are getting stronger and stronger and that equalizes the forces in the competition. In Portugal I found regularity, the team had a very good level and that has helped me a lot in my progression" he pointed out.

Precisely, during his season at Tondela he coincided with Belenguer, a former Getafe or Betis player who currently manages the Portuguese club. On the few occasions they had to chat, Belenguer always gave him advice or improvements in different facets of the game. Also the figure of Pako Ayestarán of whom he keeps a good memory for the support in his soccer and sports growth.

Illusion, work and dedication. The present and the future in Osasuna

All that trajectory has brought him back to the Spanish league. Eager to improve and row alongside the team, all seasoned with an overflowing illusion for what is to come.

Since the preseason started in Tajonar on July 5, the reality that society lives with Covid has also marked the start of the preseason. "It's being a bit atypical because we all started training together, but after some positives came out we divided into small working groups. It's time to adapt, but even so the level is very high because we are in a first division club".

Despite this, Jaume knows that the club is doing things well. "They are putting together a very good team, very complete in all facets. To compete and not give anything away to anyone" he pointed out during the interview. And, of course, he eagerly awaits the arrival of the fans in the stands. "It must be amazing. I haven't experienced it in the first person but all they tell me is the spectacular atmosphere that exists in Sadar" Grau shared.

The boy who emigrated to Portugal has returned with greater solvency, growth and experience in his boots. Those that Osasuna needs to face a new season. The same desire that Jaume will put on the pitch.